Cat IVs with coaches

[BobC]

So let me preface this with the fact that I am returning to training/racing after many years & a self admitted old school cycling curmudgeon, but here in the Hampton Roads area there are quite a few "cat IVs with (online) coaches."

Is this phenomena only germane to HR?

[stien]

Everyone had a coach and a power meter a few years ago when we stopped racing cat 3/4 women/men. Tough to be competitive against those pesky kids with no jobs sometimes!

[GregL]

So let me preface this with the fact that I am returning to training/racing after many years & a self admitted old school cycling curmudgeon, but here in the Hampton Roads area there are quite a few "cat IVs with (online) coaches."

Is this phenomena only germane to HR?
Yup, becoming common in many locales. A coach with training and nutrition plans is more effective than just riding a lot and buying expensive gear.

Greg

[cash05458]

Curious...what do most of these guys charge? What's sorta the average?

[Clean39T]

Yup, becoming common in many locales. A coach with training and nutrition plans is more effective than just riding a lot and buying expensive gear.



GregAnd if it enriches someone's life, why not.......

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[kgreene10]

I would say that I have gained very useful knowledge from coaches over the years but as time goes on, the most helpful elements are a) not having to think about what I should do, and b) feeling an obligation to do what I’m told.

[GregL]

And if it enriches someone's life, why not.......Yup, last I knew the whole point of this sport was to have fun. If a coach enhances your fun, go for it.

Greg

[charliedid]

So let me preface this with the fact that I am returning to training/racing after many years & a self admitted old school cycling curmudgeon, but here in the Hampton Roads area there are quite a few "cat IVs with (online) coaches."

Is this phenomena only germane to HR?

So do...

Baseball players
Tennis players
Basketball players
Soccer players
Football players
Competitive chess players
Gamers
Spelling Bee contentants
Golfers
Runners
Cross Fit/Gym goers

And on and on and on and on.

Why not cyclists?

[berserk87]

I think that the point that the original poster is trying to make (or imply) is that he does not feel that a coach is necessary for a Cat 4 racer.

Personally I have no opinion on this one. Doesn't impact my life one way or the other.

[livingminimal]

I have a lot of opinions about adults racing bicycles, but they're as irrelevant as a mid-pack cat4 with a coach. :)

I just ride my bike and enjoy it, and if I am not having fun on my bike, I put it away and do something else.

[cash05458]

So do...

Baseball players
Tennis players
Basketball players
Soccer players
Football players
Competitive chess players
Gamers
Spelling Bee contentants
Golfers
Runners
Cross Fit/Gym goers

And on and on and on and on.

Why not cyclists?
Reply With Quote

well, sure...if you are just starting playing tennis or golf...a few lessons might help...but cat 4 and a steady coach? I am sure there are coaches there who would love to sign you up for all the jazz including what you should be eating...but let's be serious...buy a few books if interested and check them out...this idea of a perfectly tuned plan to your body and your riding and all going on is pretty much silly...cat 4 is one size fits all...but if folks want to pay others for common sense? sure, they are out there to take your cash...

[Heisenberg]

if you're reasonably talented, you can be fine in a cat 3 field without a training plan or coach. how is a coach any different than buying xxx bike/wheels because of aero gains? you can make real, quantifiable gains with a training plan and someone to guide you through bike racing.

i don't understand the issue, i guess. at least cat 4s are still racing bikes with numbers on their backs.

edit: i started with a coach before i started racing as a cat 5 - but i was racing with very clear intentions in mind.

[Peter P.]

...cat 4 and a steady coach?... they are out there to take your cash...

I agree. Buy the books; learn the basics; practice the basics; refer to the books often-you'll always learn something new rereading the material.

Most of these coaches are nothing more than motivators. Just because the coach is a successful racer doesn't mean they understanding training and coaching. It's supplemental income for them.

My buddy is paying for coaching services for HIS FIFTEEN YEAR OLD NEPHEW. That's way outta hand.

[KonaSS]

Are you a cat 4 who is trying to move up? Coach is gonna help for sure. If you wanna be a cat 4 lifer, sure, maybe a coach is overkill.

[BobbyJones]

As I’m reading this thread, I wonder if it’s indicative of our modern culture, at least here in the US.

There’s no question that consistency and accountability are proven factors to improvement, but maybe the proliferation of “coaches” in general is an indicator of a “quick-fix” mentality or the need for validation in society?

It’s an interesting phenomenon.

[cash05458]

"Most of these coaches are nothing more than motivators."

Bingo! like life coaches or any other of this ilk...you can hire an internet coach to help you network on the internet...same crap...just because it gets folks doing a bit more doesn't mean its ethical and ok...

[AngryScientist]

i would opine that the increase in availability of web based, integrated smart trianers and power meters that upload directly to training platforms lend themselves easily to online coaching.

a coach now has access to more data than every to help an athlete improve and all web based and accessed anywhere immediately.

short of an actual coach, individualized training plans based on actual user measured data are widely available now, and they really work!

if you are serious about performance gains, and looking to make the most of the training time you have available, this kind of stuff is the way to go for sure.

if you're like me, and the idea of structured anything ruins the "fun" aspect of cycling, than probably not for you!

[makoti]

"Most of these coaches are nothing more than motivators."

Bingo! like life coaches or any other of this ilk...you can hire an internet coach to help you network on the internet...same crap...just because it gets folks doing a bit more doesn't mean its ethical and ok...

Are you saying that coaches for cycling at the cat 4 level are unethical? I hope not.

I don't understand why it bothers people what other people do with their money. If we're going down that rabbit hole, I'm going to suggest that 95% of us should sell off anything above Tiagra level parts, stop buying custom frames, and ride in nothing better than Pearl Izumi.

[cash05458]

I don't understand why it bothers people what other people do with their money. If we're going down that rabbit hole, I'm going to suggest that 95% of us should sell off anything above Tiagra level parts, stop buying custom frames, and ride in nothing better than Pearl Izumi.

It is simply a comment on doing it on your own at a cat 4 level ok...that's all...you want to get your panties all twisted up about that, then do so...tiagra? lol...

[makoti]

It is simply a comment on doing it on your own at a cat 4 level ok...that's all...you want to get your panties all twisted up about that, then do so...tiagra? lol...

If you can afford the help, why not? Is there some level that being willing to seek out help to improve or simply because you enjoy the structure is against the rules? You're clearly the one who has a problem with it. Unethical? Seriously?

[cash05458]

If you can afford the help, why not? Is there some level that being willing to seek out help to improve or simply because you enjoy the structure is against the rules? You're clearly the one who has a problem with it. Unethical? Seriously?

whatever...I give up...sorry for offering a different point of view...have at it cat 4 guys...go get them and do well...

[Mark McM]

Coaches are used for just about every other sport, and at all levels. This is considered the norm; what should be different about cycling?

A 16 on the high school basketball has a coach.

A 12 year old on the local little league team has a coach.

Heck, even the 5 year old on the T-ball team has a coach.

You might claim that these sports have coaches because they are team sports. But individual sports like swimming, tennis, skiing, golf, etc. also normally have coaches (at all levels).

It seems a little elitist to think that lower level competitors don't deserve to have coaches. If anything, they need them more.

[Spoker]

IMO we need clubs-teams-group rides more than distant coaches. In a way that is coaching of course.
A lot of professionals ride without coach telling them what to do.
The current World champ for example.

[steelbikerider]

I'm one of those cat3/4/5 coaches.

Lots of new riders are clueless when it comes to proper training. Despite having all the gadgets and gear, they don't take/have the the time to study Friel or Allen and Coggan so they pay me to do it. It can take 2-3 years to truly understand how to train and how your body reacts to training. Most new guys just go out and ride as hard as they can for 1-3 hours and there aren't many people around here who can tell them otherwise. They also don't know how to ride easy or take recovery and rest weeks.

Since I have been racing and riding for over 40 years, I can look at their work schedules, training schedules, family obligations and race priorities and work out a schedule to optimize their training to match their priorities. I don't cost much more than an "A" race weekend.

[ultraman6970]

Have a question for you, just curious.... some of those cats 5 sure arent young, some of them came to you with the dream of make it in the sport? And what did you tell to him about that dream before the whole training thing started?

[Alaska Mike]

I had one when I was a Cat 4 equivalent (no USAC up here).

I can say this- with her setting the training plan (and me following it), I made steady, predictable gains working towards my goals. Looking on WKO (and later Training Peaks), the patterns of ATL and TSB were tight and I rarely flamed out.

Working alone, my gains are far more sporadic and I burn out more often. She was far more attuned than I in recognizing patterns and making adjustments.

Could I learn this skill? Yep, but I don't want to. Getting too far into the weeds just makes it less fun for me. Lot's of people feel that way. I have read all of the training books and got something out of them, but taking it to that next level just doesn't interest me. Know what does interest me? Being fit enough to mix it up in a crit or road race.

If I had a regular, mentoring group ride back then, I wouldn't have gotten a coach. If the tools that are available today were available then (Zwift, smart trainers...), I probably wouldn't have had a coach. She was the best route from point A to point B for me, and I don't regret it.

[old fat man]

I'm one of those cat3/4/5 coaches.

Lots of new riders are clueless when it comes to proper training. Despite having all the gadgets and gear, they don't take/have the the time to study Friel or Allen and Coggan so they pay me to do it. It can take 2-3 years to truly understand how to train and how your body reacts to training. Most new guys just go out and ride as hard as they can for 1-3 hours and there aren't many people around here who can tell them otherwise. They also don't know how to ride easy or take recovery and rest weeks.

Since I have been racing and riding for over 40 years, I can look at their work schedules, training schedules, family obligations and race priorities and work out a schedule to optimize their training to match their priorities. I don't cost much more than an "A" race weekend.

I have no problem with amateurs signing up for coaching and if it gets more people out riding and racing, that's great. However I am concerned with how many "strong" amateurs have developed zero pack riding skills. Hitting the coaches targets on the trainer or while riding solo doesn't build pack skills.
Plenty of power, but not safe on the group ride or inside the pack in a crit. Wish the online coaching came with pack riding education too.

[earlfoss]

I'm a good coach and my athletes are engaged in their own improvement. They've gotten better, they've learned things about themselves, and I'd wager that if you asked them they'd all say that coaching has added to their fun in the sport. So go ahead and rip on coaching for amateur cyclists!

[.RJ]

The problem is not that cat 4's have coaches, its that so many ****ty coaches exist.

[fignon's barber]

I'm a good coach and my athletes are engaged in their own improvement. They've gotten better, they've learned things about themselves, and I'd wager that if you asked them they'd all say that coaching has added to their fun in the sport. So go ahead and rip on coaching for amateur cyclists!

Exactly. I'm not a cycling coach, but a hockey skills coach (our group trains NHL and European pros as well as elite kids under 18). We recently added an adult mini camp, for "beerleaguers" (hockey equivalent of Cat iv). Basicly, the adults just want to improve so they can get more enjoyment out of the game. It's very satisfying as a coach to see these players improving, gaining more confidence in themselves, and enjoying it more.
Those using terms like "just motivators" and "unethical" probably have never been exposed to a real coach.

[Tandem Rider]

Coaches are a great idea, on-line coaches for a Cat4 are a bad idea. A good coach does a heckuva lot more than help you put up increasingly better numbers on the old watt meter. An on-line coach can't help you with riding safely in a race, position on the bike, positioning in the pack, how to race in a pack, how to race in the wind, how and when to create a break, how to sprint, etc. but a good local coach can.

[GregL]

A friend and former teammate became a coach over the past few years. I'm very, very impressed by his curricula. He not only coaches fitness (specific to your chosen cycling discipline), but holds multiple clinics that focus on riding skills (pack riding, pacelines, bump drills, sprint drills, cyclocross skills, etc...). I've suggested his clinics to non-racers who would like to improve their bike handling skills. He has invested heavily in his own training, attending multiple camps, seminars, and training sessions to make him a better coach. His riders are very happy with the fitness and skills they have gained. Those who berate coaching may be missing out on something very beneficial.

Greg

[charliedid]

Doh!

I never saw (ONLINE) coaches.

I might have to change my tune based on that, but otherwise...

[avalonracing]

I find that most of the people who are being called coaches are actually trainers as they are telling them how to train for performance instead of how to actually race (and even ride) well.

I used to actually coach my less experienced racers on my team (I even went through USCF to get the certificate just for kicks) but I let another guy on the team do the training programs for them.

In our current days of Zwift addicts, coaches who teach people how to actually ride and race in a group are more important than ever. I keep seeing all these guys who are super-fit from hundreds of hours of riding a smart-trainer in front of their TV, yet have lousy skills in a group. They are like bottle rockets... all power and no control.

[chiasticon]

Masters Cat 4's with coaches are the main thing that's silly, to me. a junior though? totally fine.

but whatever... people enjoy bikes in different ways and when time is limited, having someone to tell you how best to utilize it to meet your goals isn't the end of the world.

[.RJ]

They are like bottle rockets... all power and no control.

I lol'd :banana:

[FlashUNC]

Paceline: Where we argue that the latest aero/weightweenie equipment would just be offset by diet and a training plan, then we complain about those using outside coaching to create said training plan.

[echappist]

I'm one of those cat3/4/5 coaches.

Lots of new riders are clueless when it comes to proper training. Despite having all the gadgets and gear, they don't take/have the the time to study Friel or Allen and Coggan so they pay me to do it. It can take 2-3 years to truly understand how to train and how your body reacts to training. Most new guys just go out and ride as hard as they can for 1-3 hours and there aren't many people around here who can tell them otherwise. They also don't know how to ride easy or take recovery and rest weeks.

Since I have been racing and riding for over 40 years, I can look at their work schedules, training schedules, family obligations and race priorities and work out a schedule to optimize their training to match their priorities. I don't cost much more than an "A" race weekend.

I'm exhibit A of reading all that and still getting it wrong. Those books are quite descriptive, but some of the tenets contained therein are taken to be prescriptive. Add to that various other held beliefs (e.g. should road racers do any weight training) that people have (on slowtwitch and wattage forum), and pretty soon I got myself down the road of doing thing I want to do, not the things I need to do.

From perspective of watts sustained over a set duration, there isn't that much of a change before and after I had a coach (as a cat-4), but my race results would indicate otherwise. But more importantly, I trained myself ragged while doing things my own way (mentioned this in threads re: over-reaching/ over-training), and having a coach helped to curb some of the things that led to the over-reaching. Not even on things such as which workouts to do, but simpler stuff such as should build phase be 2-on 1-rest or 3-on 1-rest (my coach advocating for the former, I wanted the latter). I wanted the latter, b/c that's what people did on the fora and said in books, despite the fact that 2 weeks on build usually runs me ragged that I needed the more frequent rest week.

Come to think of it, I was completely un-coached when I was a runner, and I almost always managed to run myself injured or ragged while following self-made plans distilled from whatever I could glean online. Perhaps I'd have been more successful (and less injury-prone), had I had a running coach. But then again, I wouldn't have ventured into cycling, had that happened.

Some may say that self-coaching is all that is needed to reach cat-xyz. While that may be true, it's purely anecdotal, and no more persuasive than if I were to argue that most cat-4s need a coach, based on the rationale that I certainly did.

Also, there are tips on heat management (I primarily raced in Mabra-land, aka MD/VA in warm conditions), aerodynamics, etc. that I've found very helpful. As a former fattie who never fully shed most of the belly fat even when I was at my leanest (68 kg and 174 cm), all the other preparations gave me a leg up over the more fit competition.

I have no problem with amateurs signing up for coaching and if it gets more people out riding and racing, that's great. However I am concerned with how many "strong" amateurs have developed zero pack riding skills. Hitting the coaches targets on the trainer or while riding solo doesn't build pack skills.
Plenty of power, but not safe on the group ride or inside the pack in a crit. Wish the online coaching came with pack riding education too.

Agree with the sentiment, but that's rather irrelevant when it comes to goals of coaching and training plans.

Pack riding should be learned locally, in a group, via actual practicing. That's what a club is for.


Curious...what do most of these guys charge? What's sorta the average?

$125/month for twice a week review (all that I need right now). $195/month for weekly review

[joosttx]

Paceline: Where we argue that the latest aero/weightweenie equipment would just be offset by diet and a training plan, then we complain about those using outside coaching to create said training plan.

Paceline: just be mediocre. And dance with a banana which is mediocre.

[tctyres]

IMO, the best way to achieve your goals is to get help. That's what coaches are for. If you want a workout plan, get a workout coach. If you want better race results, find someone who can help you do that.

Paceline: just be mediocre. And dance with a banana which is mediocre.

Nothing mediocre about the banana!

[madsciencenow]

I'm not a racer and the thought of having a coach and training plans reminds me of days gone by when I was running marathons and on a plan to get ready for the next race. I didn't hate it at the time but the thought of doing it now makes me want to vomit. This said, I think that there is much that I could have learned back when I first started running and still could learn now if I was into racing.

The reason I don't have a coach, stick to a plan, or race is that I'm into riding to decompress and getaway. Having a training plan and a race to get ready for cramps my style and forces me to do a certain something on days when when my body/head is telling me something different. It's taken years to figure this out but after over doing it over and over again I've kinda landed on doing what I need to do when I want to do it. Does this mean I have it right? Nope, I'm perpetually over-trained and don't take nearly enough days off. A proper coach would be a huge asset but for what I want out of riding it doesn't make sense.

So does it make sense for a Cat IV rider to have a coach? I guess it depends on what they want out of riding but I can see how it could be an asset.

...it's a bit of a tangent as others have pointed out but I do agree, based on limited experience and what I'm hearing from my friends in other locations that bike riding skills and general self-awareness while on the bike are not what they should/could be to keep everyone safe.

[benb]

I've used a coach several times off and on and was technically a Cat 4 at the time. I say technically because I wasn't really pursuing the whole road racing USA cycling points rat race during that period, I signed up for temporary coaching when signing up for hard non-sanctioned events that in general were very very different/much harder than the stuff you'd do as a Cat 4 under typical USA cycling conditions.

I shot through Cat 5 very quickly while being pretty clueless. Was doing Cat 4 and probably would have gotten to Cat 3 while being clueless too. Plenty of natural talent, etc.. but I was really really dumb about training. In general I got into a massive rut of overtraining in my 20s.. constantly overtrained to the point I'd have massive burn out at some point in the season every year. I would go on REALLY hard rides like every weekend. Solo 50-70 miles with 4-5000 miles of climbing pretty regularly.

I did the whole USA cycling thing for about 2 and a half years and in general I thought the whole scene sucked pretty hard. But a coach would have helped me a lot. My experiences working with coaches has generally been that even remote they can give me advice that makes huge differences in my performance. BTW I was studying Friel, etc.. very carefully back in the early 2000s and it generally didn't work.. his books were great for someone who had a clue, if you were just young and dumb it wasn't really enough IMO to put all the pieces together. I'd say the books just didn't really give good enough background on how to build up training hours and such. His books really always gave me the impression I just needed to train more and more.

I don't get why there would be any disdain for someone who is actually racing and using a coach. The forum seems to require absolute respect for someone who doesn't train hard at all and yet obsesses over having the absolute best gear. Coaching isn't expensive compared to the crazy stable of bikes people have here and it can really help you get a lot more out of cycling. It also provides a way for ex-pros to make a living.

My more recent experiences working with a coach as of the last 3-4 years drastically overhauled the way I train. It was really helpful. Even I'm not racing it's a better way for me to train/ride.

I will never snicker at anyone who has a coach.. I save my snickering for guys (and it's always guys) who obsess over spending massive amounts on equipment but never seem to actually get in shape.

[makoti]

Paceline: Where we argue that the latest aero/weightweenie equipment would just be offset by diet and a training plan, then we complain about those using outside coaching to create said training plan.

This should go under the masthead

[bigbill]

I used a local coach in the early to mid 90's to progress from 4 to 2. I worked full days on my feet, had limited time to train, and needed a program to maximize my results based on my available time. It was better than "riding lots" and being burned out going into weekend events.

My cousin's son is a NFL quarterback, he has a coach.

[teleguy57]

I'm exhibit A of reading all that and still getting it wrong.

....But more importantly, I trained myself ragged while doing things my own way (mentioned this in threads re: over-reaching/ over-training), and having a coach helped to curb some of the things that led to the over-reaching. Not even on things such as which workouts to do, but simpler stuff such as should build phase be 2-on 1-rest or 3-on 1-rest (my coach advocating for the former, I wanted the latter). I wanted the latter, b/c that's what people did on the fora and said in books, despite the fact that 2 weeks on build usually runs me ragged that I needed the more frequent rest week.

.... I almost always managed to run myself injured or ragged while following self-made plans distilled from whatever I could glean online.....Also, there are tips on heat management (I primarily raced in Mabra-land, aka MD/VA in warm conditions), aerodynamics, etc. that I've found very helpful. As a former fattie who never fully shed most of the belly fat even when I was at my leanest (68 kg and 174 cm), all the other preparations gave me a leg up over the more fit competition.

Excerpted from your post, but I agree with everything here (and represent most of it, except the "former" part of "former fattie."

And thank you for using fora!

[Mikej]

I think it’s a good idea if you want. It’s easy to overestimate your ability vs your desire to get fast and ruin your riding pleasure because you over trained. Having an experienced eye to point that out is so valuable and could save your season-

[benb]

Also pack riding skill are not as hard to acquire as people seem to think, there's always an excess of group rides to go on but a lot of group rides are so bad they don't help.

And group rides are often/usually really bad training at rec/cat 5/cat 4 levels IMO. They are a great way to send your self to overtraining land cause there's no discipline.

My experience with group rides could be divided into 3 categories:

- Clubs made up with people who did not race - This would ALWAYS turn into a dumb race, probably with bad/dangerous road behavior as well. The only way this could be avoided was if someone minimum Cat 2/3 showed up and acted as a "road captain". People would be scared/intimidated about what would happen if the fast guy actually decided to drop them and they'd start to behave. But sometimes you'd have hotheads who thought they should try to take down said racer a few notches and they'd behave badly. Guys would always take ridiculously long pulls where they would go full out and go totally anaerobic and refuse to peel off so the pace would go super high and then slow down ridiculously by the time they'd peel off. Then the next guy would do the same thing. Lots of brake checking in tight quarters, guys standing up on a climb and going backwards like an anchor, you, freaking out mid corner due to 1 grain of sand that was never going to make you crash.

- Rides made up of a group of people who were all on the same team. These could be OK, but could still degrade into a ride with harder than desired/needed riding. These would be again better if there was a designated senior/faster team member who was providing guidance to stop people from pushing the pace too much. Behavior around cars/traffic/laws would be much much better on this kind of ride. Paceline behavior 100% better, short efficient pulls, safe paceline, etc..

- Rides made up of a mix of people who all race but were not all on the same team. Mostly good behavior & good riding skills but still probably going to degrade towards race pace.

[William]

Paceline: just be mediocre. And dance with a banana which is mediocre.

Paceline: A group of great people with a few curmudgeons who like to pile on the Paceline yet still hang around.:banana::banana::banana:







W.

[Mzilliox]

I have a lot of opinions about adults racing bicycles, but they're as irrelevant as a mid-pack cat4 with a coach. :)

I just ride my bike and enjoy it, and if I am not having fun on my bike, I put it away and do something else.

perspective:banana:

[berserk87]

Paceline: Where we argue that the latest aero/weightweenie equipment would just be offset by diet and a training plan, then we complain about those using outside coaching to create said training plan.

Dang! Post of the day? We will have to see what other posts come up because the day ain't over yet. Assuming that no one tops this, this one counts as a walk-off microphone dropper.

[jlwdm]

Coaches are used not just in sports but all phases of life. I am a Realtor who does not use a coach but it is very common in real estate these days. I probably should use a coach, but I am nearing the end of my career.

I started driving my car on the track about a year and one half ago with various HPDE groups. As a novice I always had an instructor in the car. In intermediate solo I feel like I have plateaued in many ways. So I think it is time for a coach.

As an owner of a track told me you can get a coach for $500 per day or $1,000 per day. With the $1,000 a day coach with data analysis you will probably receive enough information to keep you busy for 6 months. Although some people hire coaches on a regular basis and also work with them on simulators. I think getting better makes driving more fun.

Same thing in cycling. If you are just hiring a motivator you need to know that going in. If you want a great coach do your research and pay what is necessary. It is your responsibility to make the right decision.

Jeff

[Bob Ross]

Coaches are used for just about every other sport, and at all levels. This is considered the norm; what should be different about cycling?
A 16 on the high school basketball has a coach.
A 12 year old on the local little league team has a coach.
Heck, even the 5 year old on the T-ball team has a coach.
You might claim that these sports have coaches because they are team sports. But individual sports like swimming, tennis, skiing, golf, etc. also normally have coaches (at all levels).
It seems a little elitist to think that lower level competitors don't deserve to have coaches. If anything, they need them more.

QFT
Thank you Mark.

[benb]

Coaches are used not just in sports but all phases of life. I am a Realtor who does not use a coach but it is very common in real estate these days. I probably should use a coach, but I am nearing the end of my career.

I started driving my car on the track about a year and one half ago with various HPDE groups. As a novice I always had an instructor in the car. In intermediate solo I feel like I have plateaued in many ways. So I think it is time for a coach.

As an owner of a track told me you can get a coach for $500 per day or $1,000 per day. With the $1,000 a day coach with data analysis you will probably receive enough information to keep you busy for 6 months. Although some people hire coaches on a regular basis and also work with them on simulators. I think getting better makes driving more fun.

Same thing in cycling. If you are just hiring a motivator you need to know that going in. If you want a great coach do your research and pay what is necessary. It is your responsibility to make the right decision.

Jeff

I hadn't thought about it this way, but it makes sense in lots of other areas. I like to play guitar, I spend a lot on lessons, way more than cycling coaching at any level I would have considered. So I essentially have a guitar coach. The lessons are extremely effective. You don't see it on a day to day basis but when think back in 6 month increments the differences seem huge.

I feel like with cycling coaching you notice the difference in similar time periods... 3-6 months following a really well thought out plan with a coaches input makes a very big difference. When I've signed up for coaching it was for a 3-4 month time period to get ready for something big.

Guitar could be thought of as the same thing.. middle aged guy, why am I taking lessons, just like why bother with a coach for cycling? Well it's a lot more enjoyable to be better at something than you were. Maybe not so much with cycling cause being fast is lots of hard work and suffering whether you have a coach or not. Not true at all with music cause being good is always better than being bad and it's not like it's more physically taxing to play better.

I have certainly had the same experience with motorsports back when I was riding motorcycles. It does not take a whole lot of time with an instructor at the race track to make big strides. I took an SCCA car class at one point too and again it was extremely worthwhile time.

[Michael Maddox]

I'm one of those cat3/4/5 coaches.

Lots of new riders are clueless when it comes to proper training. Despite having all the gadgets and gear, they don't take/have the the time to study Friel or Allen and Coggan so they pay me to do it. It can take 2-3 years to truly understand how to train and how your body reacts to training. Most new guys just go out and ride as hard as they can for 1-3 hours and there aren't many people around here who can tell them otherwise. They also don't know how to ride easy or take recovery and rest weeks.

Since I have been racing and riding for over 40 years, I can look at their work schedules, training schedules, family obligations and race priorities and work out a schedule to optimize their training to match their priorities. I don't cost much more than an "A" race weekend.

As a USAC Coach, I concur.

My father used to say, "If you've only seen a CALF, you don't know how big a COW gets." My personal experience is that most beginners have a poor understanding of what "hard work" really is. They tend to overestimate their abilities at first, as they've been the fastest riders in their little group ride. Their training--or lack it--is commensurate with this lack of understanding. This changes to an UNDERESTIMATION of themselves when they've faced the reality, "There's ALWAYS a faster rider." Now, the novice rider is unsure how they will EVER get to be so fast, and they are overwhelmed with frustration.

My job is to expose the athlete to a realistic plan to help them improve, while balancing the psychological issues they face while improving. It's accountability, but it's MOSTLY encouragement...picking the small improvements and focusing on the gains.

Sure, there are riders who can do it themselves, but it's soooo much better with someone on the sidelines for you. And that's why I have my OWN coach.

[Drmojo]

I am surprised no one mentioned this.

me I guess I use Van Morrison as my life
coach

NO guru
NO method
NO teacher
Just you and me in nature...

[Rada]

I thought that was Rousseau?

[makoti]

I am surprised no one mentioned this.

me I guess I use Van Morrison as my life
coach

NO guru
NO method
NO teacher
Just you and me in nature...

So which is it?

[GeorgiaOcean]

Lack of coaching is one of the biggest bummers about getting into a sport as an adult. Kids get instruction, guidance and reinforcement all through their school years, but once those days are gone, you're largely on your own. Having such a broad array of coaching options for people of all skill levels is a great aspect of cycling - especially for riders who think getting faster is part of the fun.

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

[Hindmost]

In the early days of my racing career every travel weekend was category 4's with couches.

[pasadena]

Always keep learning.
Always keep an open mind.

Cyclists can benefit greatly from coaching. It is arguable that the ends of the spectrum - juniors/new cyclists and the older a cyclist is, the more coaching and training plans are beneficial because of time constraints and lack of fundamentals for newbies.
Racing can be a solo venture or one with many supporters.

That's life man, there's no wrong way to get there. (I'll leave the doping out of this particular discussion).

If you are goal focused with cycling, a coach and/or training plan is smart- just as with any other goal.

Mentorship, coaching, planning... those are life lessons and skills.

[AngryScientist]

Unless it’s truly destructive behavior; I’d never throw stones at how other people spend money sitting in my glass house :)

[93KgBike]

Today's Plan is like $12AUD a month...